Extension stepladder



Patented Jan 9, i923.

iansaa VINCEN'ZO- SACCONE, OF :JOHNSTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA.

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Application filed. March 25,1921. Serial No. 455,474.

the extensible type.

Objects of the invention are to provide a ladder comprising a plurality of complementalsections; to permit sliding movement of the sectlons, one within the other,

whereby anyone or all of the sections may be used; and to provide means for holding the sections in any desired position of ad: justment. r

A coordinate object of the invention isto provide a multi-part ladder which may be collapsed and folded so as to occupy a Infillmum amount of space when not in use, yet permitting the ladder to be quickly set up into an operative position when desired.

vention will be more fully understoodfrom the following description of the invention taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: a

Fig. 1, 1s a perspectlve view of a ladder constructed in' accordance with this inven tion.

Fig. 2, is a side elevational view thereof showing one series of sectlons in a partlally 5 elevated position. j j

' Fig. 3, is a side elevational view of the ladder showing the extensible series of sections folded into the base sections and illustrating the manner of use of the latter.

3 Fig. 4. is an elevational view" of the ladder collapsed and folded.

Fig. 5, is a sectional view take-11 on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4c, of the arrow,and Y Fig. 6,1is a'detail fragmentary view showing the manner in which theupper sections are hingedly connected and the manner of mounting the on one of the sections. i j

The device of this invention consists of a.

air of base sections 7 and 8 each of which embodies a pair] of relatively wide sides.

looking in the direction v slidably mounted in the lntermedlate secsectional supporting shelf The inner marginal edges of the sides of the sect on 7 are engaged by bracing struts 9, one of which is arranged adjacent each end ofsaid sections. The sides are spanned, ad-

jacent their front margins'by steps 10, which may be ofthe usual or any desired configuration. The inner face of each of the sides of i the section 7, between the steps and struts 9, 1s provlded with vertical grooves 11, which extend from one end of each side to the other. a v y The section 8 has the sides thereof connected adjacent the lower end by a strut 12, and at the upper end by a strut 13. The "intermediate portion of said'sides are engaged by crossed brace bars 14. Transve'rsely extending struts 15 are engaged with thelinner lateral margins of said sides, thereby. in conjunction with the struts 12 and 13, and bracing bars 14-, producing a rigid structime to sustain any reasonable stress which may be imposed thereon. The inner faces of the sides of said section 8 arelalso provided with vertically extending grooves The above and other objects of this indesired the sides of the section 17 may be provided withrecesses 20 arranged directly above each step so as to receive pawls, such as that indicated atfZl, and carried by one of the steps '10 of the section 7 to hold the section 17 in a predetermined adjustedposition. Ifdesired, the sides of the lntermcdiate section 17 may be equipped with bracing struts, such asthe'one indicated at 22.

An upper step section designated 23 1s tion 17 in the same manner as the latter section is mounted 1n the base section 7. The said upper section 23 1s held in any desired position' of adjustment by a pawl as shownto advantage in 5.

This pawl may be engaged with any one of series of recesses25," which are formed in the section 23, preferably directly above steps 26. Also, similar recesses may be formed in the lower terminals of thebottom oi the sides of the section 23, to be engaged by the pawl 24 as illustrated to advan tune in Fig. l. The upper terminals of the sides of the section 23 are engaged by a flat top 27. I p I The base section 8 has slidab'ly mounted therein an intermediate bracing section 28, the sides of which have ribs 29 formed thereon. which are slidably mounted in the grooves 16 off the section 8. The section 28 is almost identical in configuration tothe section 8 and will therefore not be described "in detail.

An upper prop section indicated 30 is slidably mounted in the intermediate bracing section 28 and is equipped with lateral ribs which engage complemental grooves formed in theinne'r faces of the sides ofthe section 28-. 'The'upper ends'of the sides of the section 30 carry a flat top 3l,'which is hingedly connected to the flat top 27 of the upper step section 23, so as to form a support at the top of the sections 23 and 30.

Hingedlyconnected to the topfi3l is a shelf 32 which may be held in a horizontal position, as shown to advantage in Fig. 1, by a supporting bar The lower end of saidbar is beveled and adapted for engagement in a correspondingly formed groove 34, arranged in a vertically extending stand ard 35. The standard depends tromthetop 31 and terminates between. and is secured to, bracing'bars 36, which engage the sides ofthe uppei'bracing section30. The standard 35 is wider at the bottom and has a second recess, as indicated at 37, formed therein, which is adapted to receive the lower end ofthe bar 33 when the shelf 32 is in a folded position, asshown in Fig. 6. Consequently, the shelf willbe prevented from swinging outwardly during opening or closing movement of the sections of the ladder.

In order to limit spreading movement of the step sections and prop sections, selective bracing means generally designated 38 is provided, which in this instance consists of a plurality of :pivotally connected rods 39, and 41. Each ofthe rods 39 has one end thereof pivotally connected to the lower or base bracing section 8, while one end of each of the' rods 40 is pivotally connected to the base section 7. The free ends of the rods'39 and .40 are pivotally connected, as indicated at 42, and are adapted to overlap as shown to advantagein Figs. 1, 2; and 3. The selective feature of these, rods is attained by use of the rods 41, one end of.

each of which is pivotally mounted on the rod 39. One marginal edge of the rod 41 has notches 43 formed therein," anyone of which is engagea'blewith a stud44 carried by the rod 40 so as to limit spreading movesize and shape.

ment of-the step sections and prop sections in harmony with the vertical adjustment of the said sections.

In use of this device, it is apparent that only the base sections 7 and 8 may be used if desired, as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings. lVhen used in this manner the bracing means is positioned substantially as shown in this figure. A partial extension of the ladder may be attained by elevating the sections 23 and 30 into the position shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, which will require a change in the bracing means. 38. 'Further, the ladder may be completely extended by raising the intermediate sections 17 and 28 as well as the upper sections 23 17 and 23, respectively, so as to. .hold said sections in any deslred position of adjustment; In order to facilitate movement of said pawls, a finger piece 45csuch as that shown on the pawl 24 in Fig. 5 of the drawinns, may be used. It will be appreciated I thatimm'aterial of the position-of the sections undue spreadingmovement thereof will be prevented by the bracing means 38. Moreover, accidental collapsing of the sections will beprevented by the pawls ,21 and 24; When it is desired, however, to collapse the sections it is appreciated that this may be readily accomplished in an expeditious manner. W hen collapsed the device will be s'ubstantially'ajs shown in Fig. 4, and if desired may ,be locked by a hasp fastening 46V or the like. Since the ladder is relative flat when folded, it is appreciated that it will occupy a minimumamount of space when ,not'in use and may be conveniently transported. vTo insure substantial anchoring of the ladder when in operation, the lower terminals of the sections 7 and 8 may be beveled in a manner shown in the drawings.

it is to be understood that the ladder may be constructed of wood or any other suitable material, and may be of any desired Moreover, various changes may be made in this device within the scope of the appended claims. I

What is claimedisz I 1. A ladder including base sections one of which constitutes a step section and the other a prop section, a plurality ofauxiliary step sections slidably mounted in said base step section, a plurality f auxiliary prop sections slidably -mounted in the base prop section, said auxiliary. step and prop sections being collapsible completely withintherespe ctive base section to permit'said base sections to be foldedtogether into a relatively small rectangular shaped structnre, and means to hold said. base sections section to hold said shelf. in a horizontal folded together. position said shelf and bar being :lolda-ble 2. An extension ladder including telecompletely within the plane of the sect-ion 10 scoping step and prop sections, a shelf hingcarrying the same substantially as de- 5 edly connected to the top of one of said prop scribed.

sections and equipped with a pendent sup- In testimony whereof I affix my si nature. porting bar engaged with a part of the prop VINClENZO SACC NE. 

